Ausländische Berufsqualifikation als Erzieherin oder Erzieher Anerkennung

You have a foreign professional qualification as an educator? In order to be able to work in the profession in Germany, you need the recognition of your professional qualification.

The profession of educator is regulated in Germany. This means that in order to be able to work in the profession without restrictions, you must provide proof of a specific qualification.

To prove a foreign qualification, you can apply for recognition of your professional qualification. You can also submit the application for the recognition procedure from abroad.

In the recognition procedure, the competent body compares your professional qualification from abroad with the professional qualification in the chosen federal state. The procedure is called: equivalence determination.

You will receive a decision on the result of the equivalence assessment. The notice will state your professional qualifications. If you lack professional qualifications for recognition, the notice will also state the main differences.

In addition to the equivalence of your professional qualifications, you must meet other requirements to work as an educator:

• German language skills at the necessary level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
• Personal suitability
• Health suitability

You will often have to prove these prerequisites at a later date.

• Proof of identity

  e.g. identity card or passport

• Application form
• Marriage certificate (if your name has changed due to marriage)
• Proof of your professional qualification

  For example, certificates, professional certificate.

• Evidence of the content and duration of your training

  For example, Diploma Supplement, Transcript of Records.

• Perhaps: information about an already submitted application for recognition.

  Then indicate the office to which you submitted the application.

• If available: Proof that you are allowed to work as an educator in your country of training.

• You have a completed professional qualification as an educator from abroad.
• You want to work as an educator in Bremen.

You can submit the application with the documents to the competent body, send it by mail or send it electronically.

The competent body receives the application. It will confirm to you after one month at the latest that the application has arrived. When the competent body has received all the documents from you, it will process your application.

The competent body will then check: Is your professional qualification equivalent to the professional qualification in Bremen? The content of the training and the duration of the training, for example, are important for the comparison. The competent body also takes into account your professional experience, further certificates of qualification and qualifications.

To work as an educator, you must meet other requirements. These include, for example, your personal suitability, your health suitability and your German language skills. The responsible office will only check the other prerequisites after determining the equivalence. Some prerequisites are only important when you are hired and will then be checked by future employers. You may have to submit further documents for this.

If your qualification is equivalent and you meet all other requirements, you will receive state recognition. You will be allowed to use the professional title of state-recognized educator. Then you have the same professional rights as a person with the German professional qualification.

Your professional qualification is recognized.

Are there significant differences between your professional qualification and the German professional qualification? Then your professional qualification will not be recognized.

In most cases, you can then take a compensatory measure. This allows you to compensate for the essential differences.

There are different compensatory measures:

• Adaptation course: you complete several modules at a technical college, make up for any missing practical hours in an institution (e.g. daycare center) and pass a colloquium.
• Qualifying examination: The qualifying examination is a practical examination. Written and oral work may also be required.

You can choose between an adaptation course or a proficiency test.

If you successfully complete the compensatory measure, you will receive recognition.

Working as a pedagogical specialist

You may be able to work as a so-called pedagogical specialist without being recognized as an educator. You can then work in a day care center, for example. The responsible office or your employer will inform you about this possibility.

Further counseling offers

There are many other counseling offers. You can find them on the portal Recognition in Germany.

Let an IQ counseling center advise you personally about this procedure and your qualification. The counselors will also help you with your documents before you apply. The consultation is free of charge.

You can also call the hotline from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. The hotline will answer your questions about working and living in Germany.

Phone number: +49 30 1815-1111 Office hours: Monday to Friday 08:00 - 18:00 (CET).

If you are abroad: You can also reach the Central Service Point for Professional Recognition (ZSBA) via the hotline. This offers you in-depth advice and support in the recognition process and provides location advice.